As of yesterday, I am a month late on this post. I have really had a hard time starting it. I think that’s for several reasons- 2 main ones… There are 4 of you! There’s never-ending laundry, toys to constantly pick up, and y’all like to eat… a lot! So being busy is one reason. The other big reason is I feel a slightly overwhelming pressure to really do an extensive job on y’all’s yearly posts.
Each year I work hard to think of everything because I don’t want to forget anything about whatever particular stage you are in, and a year is a lot of time to cover. Don’t get me wrong- I am glad when the task of monthly posts ends, but they are more easily written! And this year seems even tougher for some reason because I feel like we are at a turning point from little boy to big kid, preschooler to school-age, one hand to two hands.
You have really grown up so much this last year in little ways and big ways. I look at you at times and am shocked that you aren’t my little guy anymore. You can fix your own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, take a shower on your own, and even empty the garbage for me. You easily work the tv and other appliances, buckle yourself and sibling(s) into the car, and get ready in the mornings before ever coming downstairs. So many big kid things…
You start kindergarten this fall and are so excited about it. You can’t wait to stay all day everyday and keep saying “I’ll only have 2 days off a week,” but not in a “dreading it” kinda way- in a “I’m so big” kinda way. You are incredibly smart and will learn so much! You learned a ton this past year and are already doing a great job learning to read. You also amaze your daddy and I with your math skills. There are so many things you say that we just wonder how in the world you know!
One way you know is because you ask! You are SO inquisitive. You love to know how things work, why things are the way they are, and just general information about things. Your favorite show right now is Wild Kratts because it teaches you all about animals. You know a gazillion random animal facts because you just soak it up! And you never forget ANYTHING! Your memory is scary. Haha.
You are great with your younger siblings. Daddy and I tell you a lot that God made you the oldest for a reason. You are so loving to them. Way nicer than I was or your daddy was to our younger siblings. You and Jordan fuss sometimes, but you usually have the best time together. You love to try to teach Hayes new things. You are always talking to Kyndall and light up when she smiles at you. You just love to make them happy! You think up fun games and include them, you do goofy things to make them laugh, and you are just generally thoughtful of them. For example, you got a lot of money for your birthday. When Daddy took you to pick something out with it at the store, you came home with stuff for everyone. You didn’t spend all your money on yourself… you wanted everyone to have something fun.
You love to be a helper! You help me with little things around the house all the time- unloading the dishwasher, moving clothes from washer to dryer, etc. And you love to help me cook! You really love to help your daddy too. When we moved into this house, you were a huge help. You would bring him tools, help hold things for him, and worked in the yard with him. You love to help him grill too!
You are cute as a button! I know I am partial, but you are! You dark eyes are so handsome and that smile of yours!!! Your expressions kill me sometimes. You have this way of cutting your eyes a little and giving a crooked grin when you know you are trying to pull something over on me. I have a feeling I will be seeing that a lot in the teenage years! I really do love that look though.
You are solid muscle and so athletic! You are my workout buddy for sure. I love when you ride your bike with me while I run! You are an excellent swimmer and even learned to swim down to the bottom of the deep end for toys this summer. You played tball this year, but it may as well have been coach pitch because you really never needed the tee. You are lightning fast too. You could sprint around those bases in no time flat!
On that note, you have endless energy! Seriously, I wish I could bottle it. You wake up ready to eat breakfast and get going… too early! Thank goodness you can get your drink/nutragrain bar and turn on the tv on your own now. ;) I also find myself asking you to calm down and not be so rowdy pretty often, but I do love that you enjoy being active. I just wish you could burn some of that energy picking up toys instead of doing flips on the couch. Haha.
You love to listen to music, ride your bike, have your feet rubbed, wrestle or play ball with your daddy, eat pb&j, make people laugh, swim, build things with tinkertoys, be with friends, go to Grizz games, wear “nunsleeve” shirts and “soft” shorts, play games on the iPad, do crafts, have dance parties, and be outside.
We are working on a few areas… You have your daddy’s flare for the dramatic. Apparently, according to Mimi, Daddy used to be a little over the top when he got hurt or things didn’t go his way. And sometimes I think you must have lost a limb by your response to injuries. You also can get upset pretty quickly if someone hurts your feelings. We are working on calmer, more appropriate responses. :) And unfortunately, you inherited my tendency to think my way is right/best/the only way. I am glad that you are confident… we just need to work on channeling that a little bit. ;)
Overall, you are a TERRIFIC kiddo. I mean, wouldn’t trade you for the world, make my heart melt, love ya more than I can put into words, TERRIFIC kiddo. You are our first. We are definitely learning as we go with you, but you really make it a pretty easy job most of the time. You bring us so much joy, and I just love being your momma!
Mostly, I am just so proud of the way that I have seen you trying to learn more about God and love Him more this year. I really do feel like He gave you a really special heart. Your prayers humble us so often. You always remember to pray for others, and you pray for God to help you make good choices. You are so thankful to Him for blessings big and small that we often overlook. The way you see the world and God’s hand in it is unique and rare… especially at 6. For example, we went parasailing on vacation, and, when we got way up, you said “Look at all this water. It’s huge to us and just a drop to God.” I pray that you never lose that sense of awe and that you will continue to grow in your love for Him so that His love flows out of your life into the lives of others.
Happy 6th Birthday, baby boy! We adore you!
